Saudi investments in foreign securities hit SR1.92 trillion
Source: Arab News (Read full story)
Saudi Arabia has invested 73 percent of its total reserves in securities of foreign countries, according to a financial report. Saudi total assets reached SR2.62 trillion last August while the invested portion in foreign securities reached SR1.92 trillion, the report prepared by Al-Eqtisadiah daily, said. The Kingdom has steadily increased investments in foreign securities and jumped tenfold in a nine-year period at SR1.92 trillion in August compared to SR202 billion in January 2005, the report said quoting the latest data released by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA). Saudi investments in (foreign) securities reportedly increased by 21 percent compared to the levels of August 2012, which stood at SR1.6 trillion and 1.3 percent compared to figures of July 2013 at SR1.9 trillion.
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Oman police bust international drug gang
Source: Gulf News (Read full story)
Oman police busted an international drug cartel with two gang members from different areas of the country and made a huge drug haul, according to a press release issued by the Royal Oman Police. “A total of 671 capsules filled with heroin were found from two accused,” a spokesman for the ROP’s Public Relations Department said. He revealed that working on a tip off about peddlers connected to an international drug ring were operating in Oman, the police teams from Anti-Narcotics Department raided a hideout in Muttrah suburb of Muscat and caught a suspect with 375 capsules of heroin. The second accused, he revealed, was caught from Barka town, about 90-km north of Muscat. “He had 296 capsules of heroin in his possession,” he revealed.
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Kuwait police disperse ‘stateless’ protesters – Court jails writer for tweets ‘defaming’ ex-PM
Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)
The elite Special Forces and police fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse hundreds of stateless people (Bedoons) who rallied in Taima area in Jahra to mark the international day of non-violence. Monitors for local human rights groups said eight Bedoons were arrested but then released after a few hours. There were no reports of injuries. Online activists have launched a campaign for the past few days urging Bedoons to demonstrate peacefully on the occasion of the non-violence day in order to press for their demands of getting the Kuwaiti citizenship and other basic rights which they have been deprived of. According to Sarkhat Watan (Homeland Scream) Twitter Account, which has called for the protests, the day’s activities began when Bedoon school children staged a brief gathering outside a number of schools in Jahra, carrying banners calling for granting Bedoons their rights and Kuwaiti citizenship.
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Etihad Rail signs MoU with National Air Cargo
Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)
Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE’s national railway network, announced on Saturday the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Air Cargo, a leading freight solutions provider specializing in multimodal sea-to-air transportation. The agreement will see National Air Cargo incorporating rail transport into its offerings to meet the needs of its clients the UAE as well as in Gulf markets via Etihad Rail’s connection to the GCC-wide railway network. Signed by Etihad Rail CEO Dr Nasser Al Mansoori and Jacob Mathew, President – Asia and Board Member of National Air Cargo, the MoU will allow for the diversification of the range of business solutions available to National Air Cargo’s clients, with freight-forwarding capabilities to now include a mix of sea, air and rail transport.
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World Cup 2022: Fifa prepared for Qatar vote delay
Source: BBC News (Read full story)
Fifa is expected to agree to move the 2022 World Cup from its traditional slot on the football calendar – but only after proper talks have happened. Fifa boss Sepp Blatter wanted the world governing body to vote on a switch at this week’s two-day meeting in Zurich. But with opposition to such a plan gathering momentum, it seems a decision on a move will be delayed. Fears about the impact Qatar’s summer heat could have on players and fans has prompted the scheduling re-think. Blatter said in August he wanted to move the 2022 World Cup away from June and July to avoid temperatures of more than 40C in the Gulf state. But Uefa president Michel Platini is one of several members of Fifa’s executive committee who feel more talks with the game’s stakeholders are needed before any vote can take place.
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GCC labour ministers vow to create more jobs
Source: Trade Arabia (Read full story)
Labour ministers of the GCC and Yemen yesterday (October 2) agreed to unify efforts to create more job opportunities for their nationals across the region. The pledge came during the opening of the 30th session of GCC Labour Ministers Council at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain, Hotel and Spa, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication. They discussed issues including settlement programmes, bolstering social protection for job-seekers and increasing employment opportunities for women. “There are challenges which are not separated from the fast pace witnessed in the world economically, such is the increase in unemployment and the continuation of the financial crisis and its effect on living standards,” said Labour Minister Jameel Humaidan.
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